1st String: A

2nd String: E
3rd String: C
4th String: G
Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A
F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E
Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C
Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G
Open String 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11 12
Fret Fret Fret Fret
Notes on the Fretboard
20 Common Chords

A

A7

Am7

Bb

B7

Bm

C

C7

E

E7

Em

F

F7

G

G7

Gm

D

D7

D7

Dm

Dm7
or

G
How to Read Chord Diagrams
An Introduction to Tab
Tablature, or tab, is a notation for music for stringed, fretted instruments. Each
line represents a string. Numbers on the lines mean "press down the string in the
numbered fret and pluck the string". Tabs are read from left to right, and are
sometimes broken into measures with "|" symbols.
A|----3-0--------------------3/5-3---7-5-3--- <== from "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson
E|----0---3-----3------------3/5-3-3-8-5-3---
C|--0-0-----2/4---4-2p0------------4---------
G|----0--------------------------------------
(1) Single notes: The first part of this tab is a 0 (zero) on the C string. A zero
means pluck the open string.
(2) Chords: The next part has zeros on the G, C, & E strings and a 3 on the A
string. This means press down the A string in the 3rd fret, leave the G, C, & E
strings open, and strum all the strings once. You just played a C chord.
(3) Slides: A few notes later there is a "2/4" on the C string. This means press
down the 2nd fret, pluck the C string, then slide your finger up to the 4th fret
(all the while pressing down).
(4) Pull-offs: A few more notes later we see a "2p0" on the C string. This means
press down the 2nd fret, pluck the C string, then slide your finger off the string,
plucking the open string.